
Kamloops Centre NDP Candidate Kamal Grewal (L) at a recent housing announcement, including Minister Ravi Kahlon (C) and CMHA Kamloops Executive Director Alfred Achoba (R).
The Canadian Mental Health Association branch in Kamloops is attempting to put some distance between itself and comments made by Kamloops Centre NDP candidate Kamal Grewal, who sits on the CMHA Kamloops Board of Directors.
“CMHA Kamloops acknowledges that the views expressed by Ms. Grewal in her personal capacity do not reflect the positions of our organization, our executive team, or our board,” said CHMA in a statement. “Ms. Grewal’s opinions are her own and were not intended to represent CMHA Kamloops.”
It comes after Grewal took aim at the City of Kamloops on the shutdown of the Mustard Seed’s day space for those on the streets, as well as the uncertainty surrounding the status of The Loop on the North Shore.
“There’s a municipal failure here that is disconcerting and worrisome,” said Kamal Grewal in a news release sent to media outlets in the city. “It’s intolerable for a city with a population exceeding 100,000 to fail to provide these essential services.”
Sources tell Radio NL that Grewal’s comments have also drawn the ire of certain members of city council, as well as city staff.
Canadian Mental Health in Kamloops says it remains committed to providing access to day space opportunities that the City of Kamloops is working toward creating through the North Shore Access Hub.
“Our mission is to foster and maintain robust partnerships with all levels of government and community organizations to effectively serve our population,” said CMHA Kamloops in its statement. “We are proud of our collaborations, such as those with the City Council on projects like the Access Hub and other community initiatives, which demonstrate our dedication to improving the lives of our community members. These partnerships are vital to our work, and we are committed to strengthening them through open dialogue and mutual respect.”
In the fallout from this, CMHA also says it intends to review is communication policies with all Board members and staff.